Erin Go Bragh

Strange title, don’t you think? I love these St. Patrick’s Day postcards and the idea that cards were actually sent out to mark this occasion way back in the 19oo’s and before.

As I was scanning these very old St. Patrick’s Day postcards I noticed that some of them had “Erin Go Bragh” written on them. I had no idea what it meant. It’s actually a Gaelic phrase used to express allegiance to Ireland. It is most often translated as “Ireland Forever.” Who knew? Well maybe some of you did.

My Great -great-grandfather came to Nova Scotia from Ireland. My dad used to like to joke that he had been run out of Ireland for stealing sheep. Apparently, that’s quite a popular story among those of Irish descent when, in fact, it means they came over when the potato famine was on.

Regardless of whether you’re Irish or not, Ihope you enjoyed these cards. I have more more yet to scan, but will wait to post them another year.

I love the idea of St. Patrick’s Day and the fact that it is still being celebrated today.

What lovely old cards! My roots are Irish and I enjoy indulging myself with lots of greenness on the 17th. You could ask my children about school lunches bearing green-tinted milk and green cream cheese sandwiches, or green oatmeal porridge for breakfast! Did you know that in the USA they colour the Chicago River green for the occasion? I might have to recirculate an old post I did about it: http://careann.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/a-green-moment-in-time/ . Go n-eírí an bóthar leat. (May the road rise up to meet you.) ;)